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Nov 23, 2008

Let Him Hear: Adrianne Archie!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:

The web has made music binary—there’s the music you’ve already heard and the music you haven’t heard yet. To that end, here’s another album that I discovered back in the spring that I think y’all should know about.

Adrianne Archie
He That Hath an Ear Let Him Hear

Soul LinQ Productions
(2006)

For the last few months, whenever I’ve just wanted some vacuuming, housecleaning feel-good music, Adrian Archie’s debut has been my go-to ace. If Yolanda Adams and Angie Stone had a lovechild, her name would probably be Adrianne Archie.

From the intro of “Welcome” (He That Hath’s opener) Adrianne Archie transforms the booth into a late-night, soul-filled loft party—the kind where everybody’s hanging’ out, probably gonna end up passed on on the couch if they don’t end up steppin’ and riffin’ till the sun comes up. Archie goes back and forth with friends on and off-mic, there’s plenty of soul clappin’ praise, lots of jazzy R&B live instrumentation…

For my money, if you ain’t finger-stappin’ and steppin’ around the crib by the time It Is Well comes on, then you’re just a miserable rhythmless child. When Archie sangs, “I should be dead but I’m alive/alive and well…” you just feel good for her. In fact you feel good for yourself in a strange way, too. The girl just knows how to create a vibe and bring you right along into it.

Adrianne’s got a big, rich, rangy voice, but she doesn’t lean on it the way most gospel/praise singers do. Instead, Archie uses her voice as a spoon for the stew. From the jazzy leanings of Saints Go Marchin’ In and U Never Change to the techno tinge of Used To Do and the more adult contemporary sounds on Way We Praise and the urban-soul vibe of It Is Well, Archie shows a versatility and easy that keeps the album fresh and groovin’ throughout.

But what really keeps He That Hath An Ear from getting preachy or stilted is Archie’s girl-next-door style testifying. Avoiding overkill, every joint has something to do with Archie overcoming obstacles and growing in her faith. She eloquently paints pictures of specific struggles in her life ranging from spinal disease to self doubt, loneliness, bad relationships, and self-destructive behavior; she lets you know that this is what she’s been through, and she couldn’t have made it without God. And most importantly she does with a level of joy and appreciation that makes her stories all the more relatable.

Over all, Archie’s “He That Hat An Ear,” is a head-nodding, heart-nourishing album that’ll keep your spirit on the rise. Plus it’s some truly good music.